Principal’s message — Curriculum plans are heading in the right direction
Just a short note this week because I want to continue with our theme of curriculum preparations for September 2019.
I mentioned to you in last week’s newsletter that we invited experienced school leaders into school for three days to challenge our thinking on our curriculum plans and use of the extra inset days in July (15th—18th), in readiness for next September. I have received some informal feedback which is quite positive and will give valuable direction to our work on those four inset days in July. I will share with you the relevant segments of the formal report in next week’s newsletter. I have also received some very kind words of support from parents for the approach that we are taking to address the unrealistic and unfair timescale that some schools are faced with. I would like to thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
On another point of improvement, I will be talking to you over the next couple of editions of the newsletter about our intentions to investigate the feasibility of opening a designated section of our main car park as a ‘drop-off and pick-up’ zone for parents at the beginning and end of each day. The reason for this is two-fold. Firstly, we want to ensure safe entry and exit to and from the school grounds for all pupils and secondly, I feel it is only respectful to our immediate residents on Northumberland Avenue that we reduce the volume of parking that can sometimes unintentionally block driveway entrances. More to follow on this in subsequent weeks.
Jon Gargan, Principal
Art and Design
This term Year 7 is looking at Cultural Influences within Art and Design. They have focused on Aboriginal Art where they had the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills which they have learned throughout this year. Students were creative in their application of formal elements, including shape, line, colour, tone and texture. Well done Year 7.
Exams Preparation
As you may know our Year 11's have started their GCSE's this week. We have provided exclusive access to the Main Hall in the mornings before school each day and at break and lunch times for the girls to have space to study, catch up and eat their breakfast.
This has been a positive start to their day and staff are welcome to join the girls in the mornings to have breakfast with them. I know the girls appreciate this and it's an excellent opportunity for staff to interact with them to offer support and encourage them prior to their exams each day.
Rounders Victory
On Wednesday 15th May, our Year 9 Rounders Team played in the Reading Schools' Rounders Tournament. In their first match they beat Prospect School 8.5 rounders to 2 with a fantastic display of very slick fielding. In their next group match they played St Joseph's College and again scored a very consistent 8.5 rounders to 2.5. With these wins they were group winners and went straight to the final to play the winners of the other group, Denefield School.
The match against Denefield was a bit more evenly matched. They scored 4 rounders and RGS went into bat knowing they needed to beat 4 to win. With one batter left, we were at 4-4 so needed to score to win. Shamarah Weeks was our final batter, luckily for us she hit the ball really well and scored us the winning rounder.
Year 7 Sound Investigation Experimental Stations
Investigating the difference in elastic bands. These are meant to be the same but plucking the bands a different frequency can be heard from each one.
Speed of Sound Data Collection Experiment with Year 7
Year 7 were assigned the task to calculate the speed of sound using just a timer, a balloon and cocktail stick. In pairs, each group was spread out over the conveniently marked-out 100m track distance on the school field. Timers at the ready to watch for the balloon popping and waiting to hear the sound after. Balloon poppers at the ready.
Each one had to be carried out separately so not to confuse the timers, so some self-coordination was required…
Verizon
A group of Year 8 students visited Verizon this week for an event run by Young Citizens and hosted by Verizon's corporate lawyers. After an icebreaker session, they worked in groups with the lawyers to consider behaviour on social media ranging from acceptable to unacceptable. They discussed with the lawyers what the consequences of unacceptable behaviour were. Some were particularly bad and could result in prison sentences.
The students then had to define 'freedom of expression' and think of 2 or 3 points for it and against it. They then took part in a debate about freedom of expression focussing on social media. There were some excellent discussions and some very interesting points of view.
The girls then heard about the range of careers at Verizon - as well as law, there are also jobs in engineering, administration and sales. After a delicious lunch, we returned to school by coach kindly funded by Verizon.
We thank Verizon and Young Citizens for another excellent and thought-provoking event.
Teaching and Learning
Has your lesson been REAL (Relevant, Engaging, Active Leaning)?
This academic year has been an exciting time for staff and students at Reading Girls’ School, with the launch of REAL. At the end of lessons students get the opportunity to feedback to teachers about the lesson. Students are presented with the question ‘Has your lesson been REAL?’ Students inform the teacher by taking a token and placing it in the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ box in their classroom. The tokens are then collected in at the end of the week and counted.
Results for week Monday 13 to Friday 17 May 2019
YES -164 tokens
No - 1 tokens
